Alyson Dudek is building an online team to rally behind her as she makes a push for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

The short-track speedskater from Hales Corners has started a campaign on the crowd-funding website RallyMe.com to offset training expenses.

Dudek earned a bronze medal in the women's 3,000-meter relay at the 2010 Winter Games and is trying to make her second Olympic team.

"This is a way to get people more involved on a personal level," she said. "My goal is to make it to the Sochi Olympics, and we really do need help from outside supporters to offset expenses.

"We're looking to the goodness and generosity of the public. I think it's a great way to get people more involved on a personal level and see how far we can get."

Dudek said many people don't realize that most aspiring Olympians struggle financially to make ends meet. She receives a stipend from the United States Olympic Committee, but it falls far short of covering her expenses.

"This is our full-time job," Dudek said. "I'm at the rink six days a week. Someone told me once you'll never work so hard for so little money, and it's true. But that's the Olympics. We don't do this for the money. I love the sport. I love what I do."

Dudek said she spends $500 a month on food. She can't afford to take shortcuts from a nutrition standpoint if she wants to maximize her potential.

"We really do have to splurge on food, because that's our fuel," she said. "I'm getting organic, and that comes with a price, but they're filled with the nutrients I need. I don't want to have any regrets."

Then there are the costs associated with her sport. She has to pay for massage therapy and ice baths. Short-track helmets cost $100. Skate blades cost $500 per pair and, well, blades break. Dudek said she goes through several pair each season. Speedskating boots cost $2,000.

"Your car and your rent, everyone has those expenses," said Dudek, who lives near the Utah Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City.

Many Olympians have created profiles on sites such as GoFundMe and Indiegogo, seeking online donations. Dudek chose the athlete-centric RallyMe.

People can go to her "Rally Aly to Sochi!" page at RallyMe.com to make donations.

Dudek interacts with her fans, sending a personal thank-you email to those who donate $25 and a shout-out on Twitter and Facebook to those who donate $50.

For bigger donations, Dudek sends an autographed athlete card and swag such as U.S. Speedskating or "I Rally Aly!" T-shirts. For $1,500, the donor gets a personal learn-to-skate session with Dudek at the Olympic Oval.

Dudek launched her RallyMe page last week. Her goal is to raise $15,000 in 60 days.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed," she said. "I'm not real pushy with this kind of stuff, but I think I need to be. It's not just, 'Give me money.' That's not the point. It's more, 'Let's get a team together and start this rally.'

Dudek just finished an intense training block and is getting ready for the U.S. Single-Distance Championships, Aug. 22-25 in Salt Lake City.

"I'm feeling fit and strong," she said. "I'm excited for the season to start. I'm anxious to start skating."

About Gary D’Amato

Gary D'Amato is the Journal Sentinel's sports columnist and also covers golf and the Olympic Games. He is a three-time National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association sportswriter of the year in Wisconsin and has won numerous national writing awards.